Haryana: Army Moves In To Vacate Dera Headquarters In Sirsa

Even after being taken into custody, the Dera chief was shown full respect by a section of officers instead of being treated like a convicted criminal.

A woman, Honeypreet, whom the Dera website describes as his daughter (not real daughter), was allowed to accompany him along with bags and suitcases when Ram Rahim, after being taken into custody was flown in a specially arranged helicopter from the police lines complex in Panchkula.

"From arranging a special helicopter to providing an air-conditioned room and helping in using facilities meant for police officers, the Khattar government is extending all help to the lawfully disgraced Dera chief even after his conviction in such a serious crime as rape. This is appalling," a police source said.

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief, according to police sources, was provided with an air-conditioned room in the prison near Rohtak town, around 70 km from Delhi.

Meanwhile, convicted of rape and criminal intimidation on two counts, Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh continued to get VIP treatment from Haryana's Manohar Lal Khattar government in prison.

On Friday, tens of thousands of supporters of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh went on the rampage in Haryana and Punjab, to vent their anger against the court verdict.

There are still thousands of Dera followers inside the sect headquarters, around 260 km from here, sources said.

New Delhi: Army and paramilitary forces moved in to get the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters vacated near Sirsa town in Haryana on Saturday, a day after the sect chief was convicted of rape, sparking large-scale violence by his supporters.